PHILOSOPHY

 

The Lower School French program provides opportunities for children to develop communication skills as they learn to appreciate other languages and cultures. Its aim is twofold: to help non-native speakers develop a basic, usable command of the language and to support native speakers in strengthening their linguistic skills. We respect the developmental aspects of the child by concentrating on speaking and listening competency in the early years and introducing reading and writing as English literacy becomes established.

 

 

PROGRAM LAYOUT AND PLACEMENT

 

French classes meet for 40 minutes, 4 times a week. We currently have from 3 to 7 ability groupings per grade level, depending on the number of children and their language experience. Groups range from complete beginners, false beginners, and intermediate levels to advanced and bilingual levels. Although ours is primarily a foreign language program, we strive to accommodate native speakers as well.

 

 

TEXTS

 

Materials used within the program are current and age-appropriate. Dimoitou is a Canadian program, Muzzy is produced by the BBC, and all other materials come from France. The methods being used this school year are:

 

Petit Dimoitou                           Ludo 1, 2 & 3                            Valisette Nathan GM

Dimoitou 1                                Petite Grenouille 1 & 2              Abracadalire GM

Lili la Grenouille 1                     Amis et compagnie 1 & 2            Ribambelle GM, CP

Tatou, le matou 1 & 2                Super Max 1 & 2                        Taoki CP

Muzzy 1 & 2                               Sac à dos 1                                A tire-d’aile CP

                                                                                                 Parcours ORL CE1, CE2, CM1 & CM2

                                                                                                Facettes lire litt.  CE2, CM1

                                                                                               

 

CLASS ROUTINES AND HOMEWORK

 

Children in grades 3-5 are responsible for bringing their materials and assignment book to class each day. Using an assignment book not only helps them to become more organized, but it also serves as a means of communication between parent and teacher. If, for any reason, your child cannot do his or her homework, please write a short note in the assignment book. Homework should take from 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

 

 

ASSESSMENT

 

The Modern Languages K-12 Standards and Benchmarks can be found on the LS French home page. Evaluation in our department is based on the speaking, listening, reading, writing, research skills, and cultural development described in this document. Some of the techniques used for assessing student progress include role-playing, ‘Total Physical Response’, rhymes, songs, games, oral reading, filming and recording, dictations, quizzes, puzzles, projects, and questions pertaining to videos, recordings or texts.

 

 

SUGGESTIONS

 

Parents who wish to enhance their child's language learning experience might do so by following these few simple suggestions:

 

• demonstrate a positive attitude toward foreign language and culture in the home
• avoid pressuring the child to perform; he/she needs time to absorb the language
• allow your child to watch suitable French television programs or films
• encourage play situations with French-speaking children

§  invest in a few French books, magazines, games, music CDs, DVDs or CD-ROMs

§  arrange for your child to take music or sports lessons locally

• be patient, supportive, and realistic; fluency takes years to achieve